Electrical power supply arrangement and use thereof

Abstract

A power supply arrangement is specified in which a capacitor with a low internal resistance, in particular a supercap ( 3 ), is connected via a means for charging ( 4 ) to an input ( 1 ) and via a load current regulator ( 9 ) to a connecting means ( 7 ) for an electrical load ( 8 ). Together with a feedback path, a control loop is formed for the load current through the electrical load ( 8 ). It is therefore possible to allow flash operation in applications such as mobile telephones with rechargeable batteries with a high internal resistance, with provision for high energy utilization from the capacitor, with controlled discharging with a regulated current.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A power supply arrangement comprising:
 an input for connecting a voltage source; 
 a capacitor having an internal resistance; 
 a means for charging the capacitor, said means for charging the capacitor coupling the capacitor to the input of the power supply arrangement; 
 means for connecting an electrical load; 
 a load current regulator, which couples the capacitor to the means for connecting the electrical load; 
 a feedback path, which couples a means for load current detection, which is coupled to the means for connecting the electrical load, to the load current regulator; and 
 switching means for coupling the capacitor to the input for connecting the voltage source, such that a parallel circuit of the capacitor with the voltage source is produced in a charging phase of the capacitor, and a series circuit of the capacitor with the voltage source is produced in a discharge phase of the capacitor, 
 wherein the load current regulator comprises an inductive boost converter, 
 wherein the power supply arrangement is configured to be operated in one out of at least a first operating mode, a second operating mode and third operating mode, 
 wherein in the first operating mode, which is a charging mode, the power supply arrangement is configured to charge the capacitor via the means for charging the capacitor, 
 wherein in the second operating mode, which is a discharge mode, the power supply arrangement is configured to discharge the capacitor via the load current regulator, and 
 wherein in the third operating mode, the power supply arrangement is configured to switch on a bypass path, which directly couples the means for charging the capacitor to the means for connecting the electrical load. 
 
     
     
       2. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal resistance of the capacitor is less than an internal resistance of the voltage source. 
     
     
       3. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for connecting an electrical load comprises a means for connecting a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       4. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a light-emitting diode is coupled to the means for connecting an electrical load. 
     
     
       5. The power supply arrangement as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the internal resistance of the capacitor is less than 100 milliohms. 
     
     
       6. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal resistance of the is less than 60 milliohms. 
     
     
       7. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor is a supercap. 
     
     
       8. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor has a capacitance in a range from 0.1 to 10 Farad. 
     
     
       9. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capacitor has a capacitance in a range from one to two Farads. 
     
     
       10. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for load current detection comprises a current source. 
     
     
       11. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for load current detection comprises a resistor. 
     
     
       12. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the load current regulator comprises a means for load current limiting. 
     
     
       13. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the load current regulator is a DC/DC converter. 
     
     
       14. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for charging the capacitor and the load current regulator have a jointly used inductance. 
     
     
       15. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for charging the capacitor comprises a Buck converter. 
     
     
       16. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bypass path is switchable on and off. 
     
     
       17. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power supply arrangement comprises an integrated circuit. 
     
     
       18. A mobile radio comprising an electrical load in the form of a flash light-emitting diode, a voltage source in the form of a rechargeable battery, and a power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1  for coupling the electrical load to the voltage source. 
     
     
       19. The power supply arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for charging the capacitor comprises a charge pump such that the voltage at the output of the charge pump is greater than the voltage at the input of the charge pump.